Pride and Power
If you climb Kilimanjaro mountain
Come down
If you always stand on the platform
Higher than that of your colleagues
Step to the normal level
If you have the legs of an elephant
Don’s trample the path around
When pride comes, then disgrace follows
If you climb the ladder
Remember
Its edges can break
If you think
You have a heap of coal
And the fury of fire
Wait and look back
It is raining heavily
If you were a lion
Don’t devour all animals in the wild
Many are venomous
Don’t be power drunk
It kills at last.
Briefs of the Poem
The poem warns against pride and power abuse. He shuts the doors at those that are full of themselves and spells out the consequences. the poet sees what anyone has as an advantage, not by power or might. Therefore, there is nothing anyone can be proud of.
The poet advises that people should not be money intoxicated and if we are in any position, we must not use that position to take advantage of others or cheat others or dominate them.
Pride is accompanied by disgrace if it has been a regular habit of people. Also, if you think you have more power and influence than others, you should not abuse it.
Power is shifting. The position is not forever. Remember, it is because you are in power or position today, that is why you are relevant. Once you leave the position if at all, you will be less reckoned with.
The poet warns proud people and power drunks to be careful because death can strike anybody at any time.
Word List and Meanings
Trample: Step heavily
Fury of fire: Burning angrily
Devour: Eat all quickly and greedily
Venomous: Poisonous
Practice Questions
1. The Kilimanjaro mountain is ______________________(a) the highest mountain in the world (b) the highest mountain in Africa (c) the highest mountain in the continent (d) the highest mountain in Asia
2. The consequence of pride is ______________ (a) disgrace (b) fire (c) jail (d) beat
3. The poet warns against ___________________ (a) fury of fire (b) power abuse (c) cold (d) arrogance
4. The final consequence of misuse of power is ____________________(a) pleasantness (b) disease (c) weeping (d) death
5. What figurative expression is ‘A heap of coal’ ____________________ (a) simile (b) personification (c) metaphor (d) hyperbole
6. What is the advice of the poet? (a) We should abstain from pride. (b) We should be proud. (c) We should come to the normal level. (d) We should stand on the mountain.
Editors
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